We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Kate Fischer. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Kate below.

Alright, Kate thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Are you able to earn a full-time living from your creative work? If so, can you walk us through your journey and how you made it happen?

My mother likes to tell people that I began my career as an artist in kindergarten when I refused to learn the alphabet. Apparently, I pleaded with poor Mrs. Lieser, stating that I really only needed to know K A T E so that I could sign my artwork. In retrospect, I believe this really set the tone for my journey to becoming a full-time artist, “Just let me create something beautiful, on my own terms, and I will feel successful.” The very best part of being a creative human being is the ability to make something out of nothing. Even in seasons of my life when funds were tight, I could find a way to express myself artistically. For example, one year for Christmas I hand-wrote letters to everyone I would normally buy gifts for. Like 4-page long love letters telling them everything I admired about them or appreciate about them. It took me months, but it was so good for the soul and cost zero dollars and zero cents. Or when my kids were really little and I was building my business. I wanted to give them Pinterest-worthy birthday parties but didn’t have the budget. I would march down to the Dollar Store and patch together some pretty epic decor and make the best damn birthday cakes from scratch.
Fast forward to today, and I will admit that I have had an incredible ride as a creative professional. After graduating from art school, I did everything from designing bar signage for Budweiser to writing/illustrating children’s books. I learned so much from each and every experience that I can honestly say there are no real “shortcuts” as an artist. It is a hands-on career and you will learn from every success and every failure.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers

If you were to ask me what I do for a living in one word, I would tell you that I am an artist. I have been the kind of artist who paints large-scale acrylic paintings. I have been the kind of artist who writes and watercolors illustrations for children’s books. I have been the kind of artist who builds a successful graphic design business by creating branding and packaging for companies all over the country. Right now, I am the kind of artist who serves as the “Creative Services Specialist” at Rotochopper Inc. where I am proud to be a part of an outstanding marketing team. Over the course of my career, I have been blessed with many incredible opportunities, and love the process of learning new things. The most rewarding (and challenging) part of my journey has hands-down been running my own business and publishing 4 children’s books while raising 3 kids at home. There is a special level of stress and anxiety when you combine a creative entrepreneur with motherhood. I truly in my heart believed that I was never successful enough and was never doing enough for everyone in my life for the past decade. These beliefs were complete bullshit, of course. But oftentimes, creative professionals are not capable of shutting off their brains. Throw in the complexities of motherhood and a person can drive themselves to point of complete exhaustion.
What I want to share with other artists is that if you keep your head down and work hard, you can reach some pretty awesome goals professionally. Just don’t forget to give yourself some grace along the way. And if you happen to be a mother, I want you to know that you are not failing your kids by following your dreams.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative?

I believe I shall write this portion in letter form.

Dear Non-Creative,

I know that I have big dreams and am crazy enough to actually believe these dreams can come true. I will listen to the Greatest Showman soundtrack on repeat and dance in my kitchen while singing “A Million Dreams” at the top of my lungs. I will take risks and have failures. I will become fully immersed in a project and you might not hear from me for weeks at a time. I will be totally content painting a picture on my front porch to earn a few hundred dollars so I can buy groceries that week. I will pack up a year’s worth of artwork and sell a fraction of it at a weekend-long art fair. I will love everyone in my circle fiercely and stand up for what I believe in, even if that makes some people uncomfortable. I will crave social interaction one day and seek solitude in my art studio the next. Sometimes, I will be so proud of my artwork that I can hardly contain myself. Sometimes I will feel like an epic failure.

I know that you may be frugal, practical, and logical so all these things may seem completely insane to you. Maybe they even annoy you. But at the end of the day, creative people are just wired differently than you. We are passionate and impulsive. We love making the world beautiful even when it is an uphill battle. I think the trick is, just letting us fly and holding on for the ride. If you love and support us, we can do some pretty astonishing shit.

Love,
Kate

Looking back, are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?

1. Network. Be kind, do good work, and network. Get your LinkedIn account up to speed and start reaching out to fellow business owners. They are your people.

2. Support other creatives and lift each other up.

3. Shop small and spread the word about things that impress you.

4. Don’t obsess about the money. If you work hard with integrity, the money part will fall into place eventually.

5. Be authentic. The right kind of clients/employers will appreciate you just as you are.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.littlefischbooks.com
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kate-fischer-artist/
• Youtube: @katefischer4849
• Other: www.littlefisch.com

Image Credits
https://www.lauraleighimages.net/